Cops: Armed trio tied to series of holdups

Three men wielding a gun and a machete have pulled off a string of brazen robberies in Long Island in recent weeks targeting gas stations, even hitting four on a single night last month.

"Gas station employees should be alert to people surveilling their businesses," said police Det. Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick of Suffolk's Fourth Squad. Detectives there are investigating six gas station robberies and one of a convenience store since Oct. 30. "If they see anything suspicious, don't hesitate to call 911," he said.

As many as 13 robberies in nine Suffolk communities and five in Nassau County follow a close pattern: working in the evening, the trio apparently wait outside for customers to leave before entering. Brandishing a gun along with a machete or hunting knife, the group acts fast: the robberies are usually done in 30 seconds or less. All but one of the 18 robberies took place at gas stations.

Manzoor Shah, 65, of East Meadow, was working the register at a Getty station in Massapequa on Jan. 26 when three men entered, one pressing a gun to his neck and another threatening him with a knife.

They took between $900 and $1,300 from the register, the owner estimated, and $125 of Shah's money before ordering him to lay on the floor. "They said 'Don't look at us,' " he said Tuesday.

The suspects were described as males in their 20s. In most cases they have worn masks or bandannas, as well as gloves. Nassau police believe they were traveling in a green minivan when they robbed Latino Servico in Uniondale on Jan. 28.

During a Jan. 26 incident at a Delta Gas Station in Uniondale, one of the suspects held a gun to a man's head before grabbing cash. Within three hours, the trio worked their way east, robbing three other stations in Massapequa, Commack and Central Islip. On the night of Jan. 15, the group hit businesses in Central Islip, Brentwood, and Elmont.

While investigators are looking for possible connections to other robberies, "It does appear the same suspects were involved in the bulk of these cases," Fitzpatrick said.

In some incidents, one of the men has struck an attendant with the blunt side of a machete or a long knife. One suspect has brandished a handgun in all the robberies, though no shots have been fired and no one has been seriously hurt, police said.

During the Dec. 19 robbery of USA Gas on Main Street in Port Jefferson, one of the men threw a soda bottle at the lone attendant before another drew a gun. They fled with about $400, said owner Ahmet Kahyaoglu, 58.

"In the '80s, sometimes by mistake, [the attendant] forgot to close the door and nothing happened," said Kahyaoglu, who has owned the business for 28 years. "Now it's getting worse."

Police ask anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 800-220-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.

With Tania Lopez